MARRIAGE BAN COSTLY
According to recent figures released by Australian Marriage Equality (AME), Australia’s ban on same-sex marriage is costing the country over $700 million. Using a formula developed by economists in the United States, AME multiplied the average cost of weddings in Australia with the percentage of same-sex couples who would marry if given the choice. According to AME spokesperson Alex Greenwich, the figure was a conservative one as it did not include spending on honeymoons or visitors from overseas who would come to Australia to marry. ‘Taxpayers, as well as businesses, are being hit by marriage discrimination,’ he said. ‘The Rudd Government’s continued discrimination of gay and lesbian Australians is not only hurtful, it is also a very expensive prejudice to maintain.’
MARDI GRAS LIFESAVERS
One of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’ most iconic entries, Lifesavers with Pride are calling for participants from all over Australia to join them in 2010. In the three years that the group have been participating in Mardi Gras, they have taken out two awards including Best Choreography for their 2009 entry. While it is not obligatory to be part of a surf lifesaving club to take part in the float, co-organiser Mark Kuuse says lifesaving is a great way to keep fit and give back to the community. ‘I urge every gay and lesbian who loves the beach to find out how they can become a lifesaver at their local surf club,’ he said. For more information head to: www.lifesaverswithpride.blogspot.com
SURVIVING MARDI GRAS
Marching in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for the first time this year will be a group calling themselves ‘ex-gay survivors’. Ex-gay survivors are people who have endured sexual reorientation or conversion therapies in an attempt to ‘turn themselves straight’. Anthony Venn-Brown, author of A Life of Unlearning and co-founder of Freedom 2 b[e] says the existence of ex-gay ministries in Australia demonstrates the enormous amount of ignorance that still exists about sexual orientation, particularly in some organised religions. ‘This year Freedom 2 b[e] is celebrating survivor’s journeys by encouraging them to march with us in the parade,’ said Venn-Brown. ‘Not only will this be empowering for those marching, but it also sends a positive message to people still struggling to resolve the perceived conflict between their faith and their sexuality.’ For more information contact anthony@freedom2b.org or check the website www.freedom2b.org
AVOIDING DRAMA THIS SEASON
A new nation-wide campaign by the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) is urging gay men to take care of ‘The Drama Downunder’ and become more savvy about sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The campaign hopes to inspire gay men to get regular health checks and features advertisements using male models in various states of drama. It will also include a website with a comprehensive range of information on STIs, testing and treatment, and interactive SMS services. Check it out at www.thedramadownunder.info
ACON TURNS 25
Australia’s largest community-based gay lesbian, bisexual and transgender health and HIV/AIDS organisation, ACON is celebrating their silver jubilee in 2010 and is seeking community input on how such a significant milestone can be commemorated. ‘We’re keen to consider a broad range of ideas and possibilities so I encourage community members to visit our website and submit their ideas as soon as they can,’ said ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill. Submissions can be made at www.acon.org.au/25 throughout 2010.
Amy Henderson
